Bark collar to stop barking in the crate

[Jess & Stewart]

Would a bark collar work to stop barking in the crate? As in, once Stew got a correction a few times, he'd cease to bark in the crate? Or does it only work when they have it on??

Last night was more of the same, put him in the crate at 11:15, he was fine settled right down, I set my alarm for a random time of night (2:15). I was going to just take him out, so he'd know that he gets out when he's quiet. Then gradually increase the time until he went all night (11ish to 5:45 am). He beat me to the punch and started whimpering/barking at 1:45. I took him out and he peed. Brought him back in and he settled right down and was fine until 4:50, started barking again. I didn't want to let him cry it out as the early morning barking has started to disturb the neighbor below me. I get nervous that he won't stay as forgiving and he'll say something to our landlord. I live in a converted row home, the walls are very thin. So, I take him out and he pooped, then we transferred to the couch and we both slept until 6 am.

I really do try to wait until he's quiet. He's typically only quiet after I've been standing/sitting by the crate, giving the quiet command, he'll sit down, stare at me and whimper. I say "quiet" and if he doesn't make any noise for a few seconds, take him out.

I'm sick, I have a bad case of the flu, so I'm tired and getting crabby! I figured I'd get myself and him REALLY tired, then I'd take Nyquil and be dead to the world during the night, so even if he barked, I would be asleep, then in the morning, he'd have made it through the night. Nyquil didn't work and I'm typically a light sleeper anyway. Anything you can think of that could zonk me out for tonight? I really think he just needs to cry it out a few more times until he gets it, since he settles right down at night and after potty breaks, OR will he grow out of needing night time potty runs?

[Adina P]

Bark collars only work while the dog is wearing the bark collar.  They can figure it out.  Might be worth it if neighbors complain.  Read this:  http://www.loucastle.com/bark-collars

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Do you think it would help if the crate was right next to the bed? 

[Tammy and Violet]

Jess do you cover the crate ? How old is Stew ?

[Jess & Stewart]

Obviously, I would supervise him when I had the collar on him-I wouldn't leave him in it as I'd be afraid of anything happening.

Jane-The crate is basically right next to my bed, along a wall about a 2 feet away. I thought about putting it directly next to my bed, but my bed is high, so he wouldn't be able to see me and I imagine it would create a problem of me getting out of bed, as the crate would sort of be underneath me. I figured with it a little bit away, he can actually see me laying in bed.

Tammy- I did have the crate covered, but he would pull the blanket into the crate and bite it. I uncovered it and put the blanket on top, inside so he can have it to lay on. He also has a snuggle puppy--I periodically rub it on dirty clothing on mine, just to keep my scent on there. I'm not sure if he would like it if I got a more secure fitted cover.

Also, I do not think he has bad separation anxiety--as he's busy chewing on whatever I give him as I leave and he's quiet when I come home, walk up the three flights of stairs, open my door, put my things down, he only starts freaking once he hears me moving to go into my bedroom to get him. Then its crazy jumping, barking until he "quiets" down. I'm hoping the training will give me pointers and if need be, they do home consults also.

[Tammy and Violet]

Jess I bought bigger rugs that actually look like carpet (hard back ) so Violet could not pull in the sheets or blanket in her crate to eat them ,and used two carper rugs thingy thing  and put her crate under my kitchen table so it was really secure and dark and she could not eat them. How old is Stew ?

[Jess & Stewart]

Stew is 15 weeks old. I kept it uncovered because I was thinking it made it worse during the day, as he was in a darkish room in a dark crate.

[Jaime + Oliver]

I'm not sure what kind of crate you have, but we picked up this cover on amazon for our wire crate.  We purchased it after we found Oliver enjoyed "redecorating" his crate.  It fits snugly around the crate which might help prevent the adorable Stew from pulling it inside?  It's a little pricey compared to a towel, but since we use the crate daily it was a good investment.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HSNXF8/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_...

I'll also add that our middle of the night barking ended when we stopped closing the crate door.  Our pup enjoyed more freedom to flop anywhere in the bedroom and started consistently sleeping through the night.  You can do this and still keep your actual bed off limits :)  Feel better soon!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This is only my opinion, but I would not cover that crate when he is in there during the day. I leave lights on for my dogs...even at 4 and 5 and the TV on. LOL  Personal preference, I guess!

[Jess & Stewart]

Laurie- I do the same, it was only covered for the first week, now the blanket is inside the crate. It's usually a little messed up when I get home and he barks like mad when he sees me, but I'm working very hard to enforce "quiet" for longer periods of time. During lunch today, he was quiet without whimpering for 1 minute 15 seconds before I let him out, he just sat and stared at me. I'll take it, LOL!

I keep the blindS open in my room for some sunlight to stream in (it hasn't recently with this frigid cold!) and after lunch I turn the radio on. I turn it up a little higher (normal listening volume) to drown out any other noises. I believe he barks when he hears my neighbors come home around the same time and he hears them walking up the steps. He usually turns towards the front door, even when I'm home if he hears others walk up, they're old creaking wooden stairs.

[Jess & Stewart]

I will also be home part of the afternoon on Wednesday, if he let him really cry it out, do you think that would translate to overnight? I also read to do the penny can, loud noise, etc, but to stand outside whatever room they are in and throw the can in the room, so it startles them and they don't associate YOU with throwing it, making the loud noise.

Could that work?

[Adina P]

My trainer has suggested in the past to actually correct a dog for barking in the crate.  Her reasoning was that when you don't respond they just try harder.  But it's not always bad to associated you with a correction.  Sometimes they need to know YOU are correcting them.  It all depends though. 

[Gail and Bailey]

He will grow out of the need for night potty breaks.  Sounds like he is doing great letting you know he has to go potty during the night so I don't think I would let him cry....he really needs to go out.  I am sorry you have the flu!  Hope you get better soon!  Try sleeping with him in the crate next to you.  Are you comfortable on the couch and would it be possible to have the crate right next to you?  So many of us just let our pups sleep with us and find that they are so secure and comfy that they sleep longer.